Corky, The Little Brown Mouse That's 100 Percent Green

February 12, 2010 by Ted Goodman in Technology / Energy & Green Tech

Corky, the little brown mouse. (Image via Inhabitat)

(PhysOrg.com) -- A computer mouse that’s made from recycled and biodegradable cork and recycled plastic components is one of 18 finalists in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition. But its technology is even greener than its parts.

Corky, the little brown mouse, is self powered. It requires no batteries like other wireless mouse devices, but makes its own kinetic energy by scrolling, clicking, and rolling around just like any battery-operated mouse. The energy is captured and stored by piezoelectric elements within the mouse.

How Corky captures energy. (Image via Inhabitat)

Adele Peters, Corky’s inventor, designed the little brown mouse to be sustainable, recyclable, and self-powered. But she has also thought through the processes by which these features will be fulfilled. Plans include regional sourcing and assembly, as well as regional take back and disassembly, making the disassembly data easily accessible for the recycling centers, so proprietary information will not stand in the way of making Corky 100 percent green.